Kashmir News Observer (KNO)

Srinagar, October 02 (KNO): Hurriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Geelani on Tuesday said that “since 1947 our nation has rendered unparalleled sacrifices, thousands were caged and brutally tortured, properties worth billions razed to ground and looted, and sexual assault and rape used as war weapon.”

“But India has not been able to suppress our emotions with this brutality,” Geelani said ina statement issued to (KNO). In is telephonic address to the mourners of slain Asif Ahmad Malik and Irfan Rashid Dar, Geelani paid tributes to them, saying that “our youth lay their lives to end the age-old slavery of their nation and for right to self-determination and reiterated his pledge to take the ongoing movement to its logical end.”

“We will never allow any body to barter with the precious blood of martyrs. We need to be aware of this and we are duty bound to safe guard their sacrifices and should desist from such activities which prove harmful for our movement,” added Geelani. Hurriyat chairman said that since past 71 years, list of crimes committed by the Indian occupational forces is very long and it lengthened with each passing day. “Killings, rapes, molestations, ransacking of buildings, arrests, humiliations and harassments are common and much used tools by world’s largest democracy. The oppressor has tried its best to muzzle our voice—but has utterly failed to do so, and no power on earth particularly the Indian might, its brutality and their local stooges can never deter us from our much cherished goal of right to self-determination,” said Geelani.

Stressing upon people in general and youth in particular, Geelani said that “we need to strengthen our faith, avoid miss deeds and nourish the Islamic culture in our homes and society and asked youth to remain cautious about the sinister designs of anti-movement elements.” He urged people to boycott upcoming elections and asked them to exhibit steadfastness and keep away from these shame elections as participation in elections is tantamount to “treason with the blood of martyrs”. “Indian authorities are misleading world community by portraying people’s participation in elections as a verdict in their favour,” he said, adding that “it is prerequisite to convey a strong message to world community that we are not power hungry and despite all odds strive for our basic and fundamental rights i.e. freedom.”(KNO)